Friday, July ,6
2018
Look at the
obvious facts. Those who say they belong
to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. I may seem to be boasting
too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t
tear you down. So I will not be ashamed
of using my authority. I’m not trying to
frighten you by my letters. For
some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak,
and his speeches are worthless!” Those
people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as
forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.
2 Corinthians 10:7-11(NLT)
2 Corinthians 10:7-11(NLT)
As you examine the life and
ministry of the apostle Paul you will find his care for the church, and its
strength/health, were foremost. He was
always consumed with delivering the truth of the Gospel in such a way as to
build-up the body of Christ.
The “forcefulness” of Paul’s
words always intersected with his actions.
This is a lesson ethicists learn early on, when studying their craft; it’s
called congruence. Two
congruent lines are in complete agreement with each other…when one goes up, the
other can be counted upon to follow the pattern. Simply put, to be congruent as a person is to
have your words and deeds match up. You
don’t say one thing, and then do whatever you please; you pay attention to
standing by that which you have spoken.
The Scriptures are congruent:
·
66 “books” are but one book
·
More than 30 authors, yet only one author
·
Many subjects, yet all point to one reality
·
Seeming “conflicts” are but different perspectives of the truth
communicated.
Paul committed his life to Christ
as an apostle, one sent with a message of truth. His message was unwavering and without
shadows; he was congruent for Christ.
In our day truth has become
a shifting, utilitarian, if not totally absent or distorted commodity. Leaders of all kinds – political, religious,
industrial, educational, and those who just plain have a personal agenda, spin,
twist, shape, reinvent, (and frankly, prevaricate), in so many ways it is impossible
to untangle an issue these days to get to the bottom of anything.
If you’re a news junkie (ok,
I admit it), you probably understand that journalism has morphed since the days
of Walter Cronkite, from reporting to creating.
When you turn on one network or cable news channel, you’re going to hear
that organization’s version of the
truth. Another channel’s take will be completely
different, because they want the reaction to favor their agenda.
And leaks from a
source to those media-outlets – well, let’s just say they are timed,
well-crafted, and purposeful to serve the leakER’s, agenda. And if you’re looking for truth in whatever
story follows…good luck!
As for this news junkie, I’m
going to remember this cartoon[2] says
it all about how I need to remember that truth “cometh not” from CNN or FOX; truth
can only be found in the One who is also the Way and the
Life.
For You Today
If you’ve given your heart to Christ,
you’ve given your life to truth. Start
with truth; stay with truth; be ready to die for truth if the only other choice
is a lie.
Go to VIDEO
[1] Title Image: Courtesy of Pixabay.com
[2] Cartoon posted on Facebook
by Clergy Coaching Network, July 4, 2018, source unknown
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